Monday, September 21

What must it be like to be Jonathan Richman? Guessing from his Sunday night show, it's equal parts joy and sorrow in abundance. The singer-songwriter's emotions are delivered in many languages; I counted English, Hebrew, Spanish, and French tonight. And he even got heckled in Hebrew. Richman and longtime drummer Tommy Larkins played the first of a four-night run at the Make-Out Room in the Mission, something that has become a tradition. Richman mesmerized the attentive crowd with songs new, old, and improvised. He held us all rapt, never knowing where the twists in his thoughts and strumming might lead, but willing to take the journey with him as our guide.The music led to many places. Richman's Spanish-style guitar flourishes and meanderings were a rich accompaniment to his verbal asides. His quirkiness wasn't wasted on the crowd, which was largely composed of middle-aged farts like myself who were slightly past their sell-by date but still capable of wonderment at a good show...

Hi ya,Well, well, well, I got nothing new to say about our man Jojo, but I was listening to singles tonight, including the Touch-Me-Nots. On their third and latest (last?)7", the canadian couple deliver an awsome version of "This Kind Of Music". As this 7" was limited to 200 or 300 copies I guessed that some of you don't have it.So here it is : http://rapidshare.com/files/283145622/The_Touch-Me-Nots_-_This_Kind_Of_Music__2007_.MP3.htmlI hope you'll enjoy

Thursday, September 17

Hey, you crazy kids! I ordered the songbook when it first came out, but now have looked it over and have some pictures for you!

I highly recommend this. It's for guitar, which couldn't find online before I bought it. Unsurprisingly, the two albums that are best represented are Not So Much To Be Loved As to Love and Because Her Beauty is Raw and Wild, but it still holds a nice sampling of Jonathan's songs from the past and present, including the semi-grudgingly added "Roadrunner". Of it, he says: "Plus, I no longer want to drive around the cold, sterile, industrialized highways of America's suburbs, and I won't pretend I do for love or money". And that's really what makes this songbook so great. Jonathan has a bunch of commentaries, some printed, and some notes are in his handwriting. And he's his hilarious, off the cuff self. It's probably the most that we'll ever get to hear him say about some of these songs directly, I don't even play the guitar, and I found this entertaining. There's a shot of the intro over here.

You can buy it from several different places, one of them is Hal Leonard.

Songs in the book:Because her Beauty is Raw and WildBehold the Lilies of the FieldEl Joven Se EstremeceEs Como El PanGirlfriendGive Paris One More ChanceHe Gave Us the Wine to Taste itHer Mystery Not of High Heels and EyeshadowI Was Dancing in the Lesbian BarIn Che Mondo ViviamoLe Printemps des Amoureux est VenuLet Her Go Into the DarknessNo One Was Like VermeerNot So Much to Be Loved as to LovePablo PicassoRoadrunnerSpringtime in New YorkSurrenderThere's Something About MaryThis Romance Will Be Different for MeVampiresa MujerVampire GirlVincent Van GoghWhen We Refuse to Suffer

Thursday, September 3

In the Perfect 10 series of Rounder Records, a new Jonathan's CD will be released on Sept 22. It's called Essential Recordings: Vampire Girl (CDROUN9092 / 011661909229). A compilation of 10 songs, apparently selected for this release by Jonathan himself:

- Vampire Girl- I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar- Harpo En Su Harpa- Let Her Go Into The Darkness- California Desert Party - Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers- Dancin' Late At Night - Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers- Since She Started to Ride- You're Crazy For Taking The Bus- I Eat With Gusto, Damn! You Bet- Twilight In Boston

Disclaimer

Jojoblog is maintained with respect by fans for fans. Jonathan Richman does not use the internet or own a computer. Any communication from him to the Jojoblog community is sent through his publicist, Debbie Gulyas of Blue Arrow Records.